Train-pipe coupling.



G. L, BONHAM.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10. 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

.0 1 9 1 0 2 r p A d e LIU n Du t a P lnvento r Attorneysm Witnesses HE NORRIS PETERS 60.. FHOTC-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D, C.

G. L. BONHAM.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.-

APPLICATION man FEB. 10, 19H.

Patnted Apr. 20, 1915.

Attorneys,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses 1H5 NORRIS PETERS CO PHOTO 1.1mm WASHINGTON D 3.

G. L. BONHAM.

TRAIN PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10, 1911.

m wwm Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

3 SHEET8-SHEET 3.

Inventor,

Witnesses Attorneys THE NORRIS PETERS CO4, PHOTQLITHQ, WASHINGTON, D. c.

GUY L. BONHAM, OF DORRANCETON, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRAIN-PIPE GOUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26 1915.

Application filed February 10, 1911. Serial No. 607,865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUY L. BONHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dorranceton, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented -a new and useful Train-Pipe Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in train pipe couplings, and particularly to that general class of steam heating, airbrake, signal and electric couplings, in which provision is made for the automatic connection of the couplings, as the cars come together.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novel form of coupling member, consisting of as few parts as possible, all superfluous parts and obnoxious features being eliminated, these objectionable elements being replaced by more advantageous structures, thus facilitating to an extended degree, the manufacture of the device, and enhancing its utility.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of mounting or support for the coupling members, in order that the coupling members may follow every movement of the elements whereby the cars themselves are immediately connected with each other, the construction being such that the pipe couplings will remain in perfect alinement with the car couplers, during the coupling operation.

A further object of the invention is to equip a coupling of the sort above referred to, with suitable drip valves, and with screening devices, whereby all objectionable, foreign matter in the air-brake, signal and heating systems, will be eliminated.

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, and arrangement of the parts, whenever advantageous, may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, which I have personally prepared,Figure 1 shows the invention in side elevation, parts being broken away and sectioned; Fig. 2 is a fragmental top plan, parts being broken away and sectioned; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of one of the couplers, parts being broken away; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through one of the coupling members; Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the drip cup; Fig. 6 is a top plan of the drip cup; parts being removed.

The couplers whereby the cars are united, are denoted by the numeral 1, the numeral 2 denoting the carry irons for the car couplers. Pendent brackets 3 are shown, the sameincluding a top plate 4, concaved, as shown at 5, to conform to the lower face of the car coupler 1.

The numeral 6 denotes the pin upon which the knuckle of the coupler is mounted, the pin 6 serving to unite the bracket 3 with the coupler 1. The pin 6 carries substantial nuts 7 and washers 8 for holding the bracket 3 in place, cotter pins 9 being supplied as an additional securing means. The bracket 3 is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in a guide 10, secured by means of a bolt or the like 11, a nut 12, and a cotter pin 14:, to the carry iron 2, the bolt 11 having a flat head countersunk into the carry iron 2.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, and there denoted by the numeral 15, the top plates of the brackets taper rearwardly. The top plates, therefore, serve as a brace, reinforcing the brackets, when the pipe coupling elements, hereinafter described, are brought together. Owing to the cooperation between the top plates 4: and the couplers 1, as shown at 6, the union between these elements is made unusually rigid, and of great strength.

As denoted by the numeral 16 in Fig. 2, the top plates 4 are longitudinally slotted, to secure a proper reciprocation of the brackets 3 in the guide 10. The brackets are U shaped structures, their depending arms being united, and braced, adjacent their lower ends, by transverse stay rods 17.

In the arms of the brackets 3, there are vertical slots 18, in which a plate 19 is mounted for transverse and for vertical reciprocation. The plate 19 is anti-frictionally supported upon upright rollers 20, journaled in the brackets 3.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that each of the plates 19 is provided with an integrally formed funnel shaped hood 21, in the smaller end of which are formed vertically alined female pipe coupling members 22, the male coupling members 23 being threaded, as shown at 24, into the coupling structure, to one side of the funnel shaped hood 21. The male coupling members 23 are shouldered to receive a suitable packing 25, the construction being such that the male coupling members 23 may be removed readily, in order that the packing thereon may be renewed, and for other purposes which will be readily understood. The rear end of the hood 21 is adapted, as shown at 26, to receive the pipes 27, these pipes carrying the air-brake pressure, the steam heating pressure, and the signal pressure, there being, of course, a male and a female coupling element for each of the several pipes 27.

In order to support the pipe coupling members, and to position them properly for union, from car to car, retractile springs 28 are terminally united with the hood 21, the springs being rearwardly extended into union with the rear of the side arms and the top plate 4 of each pendent bracket 3.

For each of the pipes 27, a fine mesh screen 29 is provided, there being, preferably, a shoulder in the portion 26 of the coupling structure, adapted to receive the screen. In front of each the screen in the lowermost pipe 27, there is a depending drip cup 30, the drip cup comprising, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, a tubular body 31, threaded at its upper end, as shown at 32, or otherwise adapted for union with the pipe coupler structure. The drip cup further includes a cap 33, screw-threaded, or otherwise removably fitted upon the lower end of the body 31. The upper end of the cap 33 supports a fine mesh screen 34. The cap 33 terminates in a depending, conical neck 35, into which a frusto conical valve 36 is adapted to seat, the valve 36 carrying a rod 37, protruding through the lower end of the cap 33. Diverging spring arms 38,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner,

are secured to the upper end of the rod 37, above the valve 36, these arms being adapted to bear against the cap of the drip cup.

By means of the constructions last above described, any moisture accumulating in any of the fluid pressure systems, will be collected in the drip cup 30, from which such moisture may be removed by a manipulation of the valve 36. The constituent elements 31 and 33 of the drip cup 30, may be readily separated, in order that the screen 34: may be removed, and to permit an eX- amination and a regrinding of the valves 36.

In practical operation, when the car couplers 1 are united, the male members 23 of the pipe couplings, will enter the female members 22 of the pipe couplings, thus automatically establishing the air-brake and the heating systems.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is In a device of the class described, a plate provided intermediate its ends with an integrally formed, flaring hood extended to the rear of the plate and in front thereof, there being a female coupling member formed at the base of the hood and the hood being provided at one side with a passage which communicates with the rear portion of the bore of the hood; a male coupling member mounted in the passage and projecting beyond the mouth of the hood; and a bracket in which the end portions of the plate are movable supported.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto ailixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GUY L. BONHAM. Witnesses:

HARRY E. BONHAM, EDGART P. JOHNSON.

of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

